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Ascension Island is a British Overseas Territory under the sovereignty of the British Crown. Ascension belongs to a group of islands together with St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. The tiny island of Ascension with its area of about 90 square kilometres is located in the South Atlantic.

Ascension is definitely a unique place when viewed from almost any angle. The island has been completely enclosed to the outer world.

The freedom and independence that can be easily felt in the atmosphere, while being on Ascension Island, is breathtaking. But who knows what time it takes, until the island becomes a touristic haven and the charm of the freedom vanishes?

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Full name:

Ascension Island

Capital city:

Georgetown

Area:

91 sq km

Population:

1,100

Major languages:

English

Major religions:

Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic

Why to visit
Fast Facts

Top Places - Ascension

Nr. Place Points Rating Vote
1
 Broken Tooth 0 0  
2
 Comfortless Cove 0 0  
3
 Cricket Valley 0 0  
4
 Devil’s Riding School 0 0  
5
 George Town 0 0  
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Top Experiences - Ascension

Nr. Experience Points Rating Vote
1
 Turtles Watching 0 0  
2
 Land Crabs Watching 0 0  
3
 Hiking to Pillar Bay 0 0  
4
 Diving in the waters of Ascension 0 0  
5
 Bird Watching at Boatswain Bird Island 0 0  

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Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Rank:  Dromoman
Visited countries: 46
Latest: Austria
Photos: 30
Comments: Spent a week there on the way from the Falkland Islands to St Helena
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Nr. Place Points Rating  1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10
1
Broken Tooth (click for more information)

 sometimes called the East Crater, is a spectacular cone breached toward the summit. The lava flow spreads to the coast.

Broken Tooth		 0 0
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2
Comfortless Cove (click for more information)

 The Bonetta Cemetery is located at Comfortless Cove, which is said to be used as a quarantine station. The Cemetery is named after the H.M.S. which arrived with several cases of yellow fever.

Comfortless Cove		 0 0
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3
Cricket Valley (click for more information)

 large elliptical 150 metres deep depression with nearly vertical walls. The valley was subsequently filled by ash. There are large numbers of land crabs living in the Cricket Valley and its surroundings.

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4
Devil’s Riding School (click for more information)

 a huge crater which is definitely worth a visit. In the center was formerly a lake but nowadays it is completely dry and forms spectacular scenery similar to Big Canyon.

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5
George Town (click for more information)

 in this lonely town that is home to most of the Island’s buildings, is located the Post Office as well as the Administrator’s Office. It is really just a small piece of civilization that can be found on the island.

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6
Green Mountain (click for more information)

 The top is very green covered by bamboo vegetation, banana trees, eucalyptus and wild ginger. The green vegetation is quickly spreading throughout the island.

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7
Sisters Peak (click for more information)

 with its 446 metres the cone is younger than the surrounding two older cones. The peak offers an astounding view of the greatest part of the island and of a wonderful lava flow.

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8
The Dew Pond (click for more information)

 on the trail to the summit of Green Mountain you pass through a dense bamboo grove that ends at a wonderful pond with lilies and goldfish. It is a really superb relaxing place.

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9
Two Boats (click for more information)

 the name comes from the two halves of a naval gig that served as a hiding place for travellers form Georgetown to Green Mountain. Today it is a location of the island school.

Two Boats		 0 0
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10
U.S. Base (click for more information)

 the U.S. Army Engineers constructed the airfield in 1942. Over the years the Base has undergone big growth and development.

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Why to visit Ascension


Ascension Island is a British Overseas Territory under the sovereignty of the British Crown. Ascension belongs to a group of islands together with St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. The tiny island of Ascension with its area of about 90 square kilometres is located in the South Atlantic.

Ascension is definitely a unique place when viewed from almost any angle. The island has been completely enclosed to the outer world. The freedom and independence that can be easily felt in the atmosphere, while being on Ascension Island, is breathtaking. But who knows what time it takes, until the island becomes a touristic haven and the charm of the freedom vanishes?

History

People believe that Portuguese seafarer Joao da Nova Castelia discovered the island in 1501, but he left no records. The island was very dry and unproductive so it was nearly of no use. That was the reason why it remained uninhabited. But the incarceration of Napoleon I in 1815 on St Helena changed the situation. After his death the island became a sanatorium for ships. Afterwards it was taken over by the Royal Marines and remained under the supervision of the British Board of Admiralty for nearly 100 years. In 1922 Ascension became a Dependency of St Helena.

Geography

The bulk of the island is a wasteland of lava flows and cinder cones. Totally 44 distinct craters can be counted on Ascension Island. Very dominant is the Green Mountain with one of the few large-scale artificial forests and lush vegetation, which is growing and spreading throughout the island with each year. Boatswain Bird Island, which is located off the east coast of Ascension, is a haven for sea birds. The climate is subtropical with temperatures from 20 to 31°C. Rains are very unpredictable and may surprise at any time during the whole year.

Flora and Fauna

The green turtle is the most notable of the wildlife, probably due to the protection. They come ashore to lay eggs on the beaches from November to May. As mentioned before there are various kinds of seabirds living in Ascension, including some kinds of boobies, tropicbirds and petrels. On the land you can find canaries, sparrows and waxbills.

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